The Institute of the Motor Industry has finally been granted the sector skills licence by the Government, two months after taking control of Automotive Skills.

The IMI is now officially the sector skills council for the motor industry and Automotive Skills is the division responsible for setting standards and delivering the Sector Skills Council objectives for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

It also means the IMI has access to Government funding.

One of the sticking points over the licence was IMI chief executive Sarah Sillars’ insistence of having full control over how the funding was used to benefit the automotive industry.

Under Automotive Skills’ previous structure, the Government was able to influence objectives and how its money was spent.

The IMI is now looking at how the industry can play a role in the development of Automotive Skills, which will be retained at the sector skills brand name.

Rather than the old donations-based format, the IMI favours a commitment by executives to attend meetings and lend their resource and time to the cause.

It has already set out a number of key initiatives, including women in work and learning and management.

Dutton Forshaw has recently piloted a level three management course that will form the basis for the learning and management programme.

“This is part of the SSC’s objectives to raise skills levels and allow businesses to take part in the national agenda,” says Stuart Brooks, IMI head of public relations.